Media response - dust from Sellicks Hill quarry

Published on 18 July 2024

Response to InDaily.

• The journalist asked for some comments regarding dust issues around Sellicks Beach.

Comments attributed to Mayor Moira Were

Council has been aware of resident concerns for several years.

This year’s extended dry summer and autumn has led to an increase in the number of residents contacting council about dust from the Sellicks Hill quarry.

The quarry itself is privately owned by the ADBRI group and provides building material for homes across Adelaide.

The quarry has an expected operating life of up to 160 years, so it will require sound ongoing management to ensure a liveable future for nearby residents.

Council has no direct role to play in the management or monitoring of operations – the EPA and the Department for Energy and Mining (DEM) manage the licences and operating conditions of the quarry.

However, Council, on behalf of local residents has recently written to both authorities to request a review of dust management practices.  

We’re pleased to note that our advocacy led to the EPA undertaking additional dust monitoring and the DEM advising us of future consultation on quarry activities.

Please see https://www.energymining.sa.gov.au/industry/minerals-and-mining/mining/major-projects-and-mining-activities/major-operating-quarries/sellicks-hill-quarry

Council has also written to the Minster for Planning in relation to the rezoning of the Sellicks Beach area for approximately 1,700 additional homes, to alert his department to the dust issues and the importance of remedies for the anticipated thousands of new residents. 

Again, we’re very pleased to see that the state Housing, Infrastructure, Planning and Development Unit have proposed a six-month quarry interface investigation before during and after summer 2024–25 as part of the studies for the Code Amendment.

We’re confident the EPA and DEM will take note of this investigation for their own reviews and hope the results of the testing will influence management practices that could potentially reduce impacts on residents.

Council is supportive of the Code Amendment rezoning and has provided state government with a structure plan for the Sellicks Beach.

The structure plan identifies the unique attributes of the township and the areas in which infrastructure will be required to facilitate the residential growth. 

This structure plan, created with the support of the Sellicks Beach community, has been adopted as the basis of the Code Amendment rezoning, which is a great outcome.

At this week’s Council meeting, Cr Paul Yeomans was appointed to a new community consultation group established by ADBRI, the quarry’s owners. 

The consultation group purpose is to encourage dialogue and information sharing, identify issues and seek potential solutions.

Cr Yeomans will advocate for the community regarding these issues and keep council informed of meeting outcomes.

ENDS